Next-Generations: Environment & Wellbeing
In 2022, Malamba Coastal Collaborative signed an MOU with both the Malamba and Mazuene Schools in a partnership to develop and support school infrastructure and extra-curricular programs in health and wellbeing, environmental education, sport, and art.
Current challenges and threats for students and youth in this remote region of Inhambane are severe. And support for the education system is critical if we have any chance of ensuring the sustainability of both people and the environment.
Key Milestones
Signed a collaborative programming MOU with each of the Malamba and Mazuene Schools
Constructed two new boreholes and pumps at each of the Malamba and Mazuene Schools and repaired a 3rd for the Malamba School. Both schools now have potable water for drinking and sanitation
Planted Permaculture food forests at each of the schools
Launched the Bimbi Wutomi Cup and support of the Malamba and Mazuene youth soccer teams.
Partnered with Still Standing/Joy of Life for wellbeing and sports programming at the schools
Routine coordination meetings with Local and District government and the two school directors
Launched BIMBI WUTOMI/OCEAN IS LIFE nature clubs. We host youth groups from each school + teachers and parent-teacher association members in full/multi day immersion programs centered around biodiversity and well-being in supportive, fun, and nurturing spaces at the Mukovela field station
Secured architectural designs for the construction of two new schools and adjacent youth wellbeing centers.
The challenge:
- The school drop out rate is high due to large distance to schools, the need for children to work agricultural fields, and also extremely poor school conditions.
- School ends at 9th grade, and to proceed with studies students need to access schools that are many kilometers away, posing a big obstacle to parents financially and logistically resulting in many children having to stop their studies;
- Very poor conditions for teachers at schools, no housing and no access to resources;
- No infrastructure at the schools (classrooms are make-shift), and lack of clean water and sanitation at schools;
- There is a high incidence of children and teenagers resorting to alcohol, and early pregnancies and marriages;
- Health care access is extremely limited and impossible for many. The closest health post infrastructure is still incomplete, with no conditions to have permanent health officers. The only access to nurses is via mobile brigades that visit twice a month. For sever cases, the district hospital that is 3 to 4 hours away via very bad roads
2023-2025 Priorities
Despite the enormous challenges for youth here, significant opportunities exist to support their development and future prospects, and as trusted community liasons and members our focus is to ensure these opportunities are maximized:
Hire a full-time Environmental Educator to be based at MCC
Establish a community Youth Well-being and Environmental Centre with a multi purpose court (basketball, futsal, handball, etc), Library, Arts and music amphitheater
Expand extra curricular programs focused on sport, wellbeing, culture and environment, including securing funding to support 4 Youth Mentors (2 at each school) to lead extra-curricular activities. These community youth mentors are overseen by the Environmental Educator
Secure technical and financial support for the design and construction of brand new school infrastructure at the Mazuene and Malamba schools
Establish the Joy of Life sports and health program in partnership with Still Standing
In 2023, Tichafa Makovere - an arid-lands permaculture and food independence specialist from Zimbabwe- will continue to build local capacity in permaculture and lead onsite planning and strategy workshops at each school where we co-created the design of each farm site. Alongside our environmental education team, he helps ensure these sites receive continued support and maintenance
Find out more about our programmes:
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